Messen' Around: Super presentation by Richmond Heights superintendent

Richmond Heights Interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Moore said all the right things at a public meeting last week that should be said to a community whose schools are rated in a continuous improvement state.

In a well-written and even better delivered speech, the seemingly always upbeat and optimistic Moore didn’t dwell on any negativity that surrounds the district but yet only briefly acknowledged the challenges it faces. The rest of his speech was geared toward how the district would face these challenges and how failure would not be an option.

Moore’s motivational message was an important one to deliver to those in the community as evident by the substantial amount of people who turned out during a weekday dinner hour to hear it.

It was to the point and it was born out of months of community engagement the district has put in place with its community forum sessions.

School administrators and board members in Richmond Heights, for the most part, have not made it any more clear in the nearly three years I have covered the district, that they accept the fact they have challenges and want to move past them. It’s unfortunate, sometimes by no fault of their own, that the negativity the schools have been shrouded in over the years won’t seem to die. It’s been the “just when you think things can’t get any worse” scenario being played over and over.

Moore is aware of all this and in his time in the interim superintendent role, he doesn’t appear to care that the interim tag is attached to his title. He is a district employee and therefore has done everything seemingly possible to help ease the frustrations residents have had with the district over the past few years.

Last week’s address was the culmination of this and now the community and parents cannot say the district isn’t committed to changing the culture at the schools.

Perhaps now though is the time for those who may not have held up their end of the bargain to do so.

I can’t think of many relationships in which the ideology of “it takes two to tango” doesn’t apply. And a relationship between a community and its schools is definitely no different.

No school administrator would ever lay blame for its shortcomings on its students or its parents. But the truth remains that there is only so much a school district, it’s administration and faculty can do on their end.

Everything Dr. Moore said that will make change for the positive in Richmond Heights can come to fruition, but that’s where it ends. Would his stated goals improve the schools and better the student’s education? Without a doubt!

With that being said though, you have to consider this a two-way street. What is out of the hands of everybody working for these schools is what happens outside of the classrooms from an educational standpoint.

Not Dr. Moore nor any of the teachers can be in the homes of those students every night of the week. They cannot be there to tell a student to turn off the video games and pick up a book. They cannot be there to look over a student’s homework. This isn’t a possibility and this isn’t their job.

This job belongs to the parents and without a doubt, with every family and home life being different, this can be a daunting task.

Parents (me included as the father of two elementary students in another district) need to find it in our means to be the guidance behind our children and a continuance of the educational system while they’re away from the schools.

Many parents do an outstanding job with this task, others may need to find it in themselves to become more committed.

This is our end in the education process that can make a difference in the careers of our children. One cannot predict the lifestyle a child will grow into as an adult but the proper guidance from parents can only accentuate the possibility of a better lifestyle.

Dr. Moore may have placed blame on the district itself for its past troubles but it’s not alone. Many parents already know this and it’s time for the betterment of the students and their future, that the rest of them realize it and find the means to do a better job.

I would be certain if any parent turned to a school teacher or administrator seeking input on how they could help with a child’s academics, they would not be turned away.

And with a little extra help from the parents, the schools won’t have to be alone in the quest to achieve the stated goals of a superintendent. Not in Richmond Heights, or anywhere.

GETTING READY FOR RIBS: There will considerable information in the coming weeks about the Richmond Heights Rhythm & Ribs event this June at Richmond Town Square. This week, the recreation department is seeking vendors who are interested in purchasing an exhibitor booth for the event.

If you have a business or organization interested in selling or promoting goods or services at the event, now is the time to reserve your booth.

Only 20 exhibitor tables will be available and at a cost of $300 for a business and $150 for a non-profit organization. That cost is good for all four days of the event, June 14-17.

The booths will be available on a first come, first serve basis, so call the Richmond Heights Recreation Department today at (216) 383-6313.

GARAGE SAILING: With summer on the horizon, it’s time for garage sale season. One special garage sale that won’t wait for the summer will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5. This Hillcrest Area Relay for Life Garage Sale will be held at 1606 Hawthorne Drive in Mayfield Heights and all proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society for cancer research, education and support.

Crafts, supplies, books, toys, household items and so much more is promised, so stop on by this weekend and support a worthy cause.

HISTORICAL FUNDRAISING: The new South Euclid Bob Evans at Cedar Center North is already looking to give back to the community.

From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 9, anybody presenting a special flyer at checkout will assure a donation by Bob Evans of 15 percent of the sale to the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Historical Society.

The historical society plans to use the proceeds to purchase archival materials for preservation of the items and documents at the museum, located at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 4645 Mayfield Road.

To learn how to obtain a flyer, contact (216)382-5001.

A TRIBAL CHOIR: The Hawken Lower School, in Lyndhurst, will send its choir on a special trip May 6 to fulfill a proud tradition.

The choir will sing the national anthem prior to the Cleveland Indians game with the Texas Rangers at 1:05 p.m. May 6 at Progressive Field.

Attend the game to show your support for the Hawken Hawks and cheer on the Indians, which may likely be a battle of two first place teams at first pitch!

Messen’ Around highlights events in the seven communities featured in the Sun Messenger. If you know of any fundraisers or events happening in those communities, send your tips in advance to aattina@sunnews.com. We can’t promote every event, but we sure can’t promote the ones about which we know nothing.

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